Belleville Sens edged by Comets in overtime to end 2024

The Belleville Senators recorded a season-high 42 shots on goal on New Year’s Eve, peppering the Utica Comets net with action, but still, the Sens fell 4-3 in overtime.

For the 11th consecutive game, the Senators gave up the first goal. Nolan Foote banged a rebound past Mark Sinclair, called up from ECHL Bloomington after injuries to both Malcolm Subban and Michael Simpson, to open the scoring at 3:22 of the first period. That was followed up by a Brian Halonen net drive at 11:33, where Belleville defender Djibril Toure got caught up with an official along the boards, allowing Halonen to get free and score. But, Belleville would cut the lead to one before the end of the period, thanks to a power play goal from Stephen Halliday on an off-wing one-timer.

Belleville evened things up less than a minute into the second period, when a rebound came off the back glass, back over the net and off the shin pads of Tyler Boucher, before sliding past Isaac Poulter in the Utica net. The tie only lasted about eight minutes, until Samuel Laberge converted on another rebound around the Belleville net. But, like in the first, the Senators would score the last goal of the period, via Halliday’s second of the game at 12:31, to make it 3-3 headed into the third.

The Sens put 13 more shots on Poulter in the third period, but still couldn’t convert, and the Comets would win the game about a minute into overtime. Mike Hardman got into the Belleville zone on an odd-man rush with Xavier Parent and put a one-timer past Sinclair to cap the night off.

The Senators will open the new year with a road trip to Syracuse this Friday night (January 3) and then visit the Comets in Utica on Saturday (January 4).

You can see the complete box score by clicking here.

Fast Facts

• #4 Jeremy Davies picked up his 16th assist of the season and continues to be one of the top offensive defenceman in the American Hockey League
• #11 Jorian Donovan notched an assist for his first career American Hockey League point
• #16 Tyler Boucher scored his second goal of the season
• #17 Zack MacEwen had an assist and has points in back-t0-back games
• #22 Garrett Pilon had two assists and has points in back-to-back games
• #34 Stephen Halliday scored twice and now has seven goals on the season, to go along with 12 assists
• #38 Wyatte Wylie was credited with his third assist of the season
• #45 Mark Sinclair stopped 19 of the 23 shots he faced in his season debut for Belleville
• The Senators were 1/4 on the Lifestyle Home Products Power Play and 4/4 on the ViewTech Window and Door Penalty Kill.

Highlights:

Sound Bytes:

Belleville Sens Head Coach Dave Bell on the overtime loss:

“I thought we played well. I thought in all three zones we did some really good things. I thought we defended pretty well to give up only 23 shots, I thought in the offensive zone we were good to get 42, and the reason you get those chances is because you move well through the neutral zone. So, systematically, I think we were pretty good.”

Belleville Sens Head Coach Dave Bell on avoiding frustration and sticking to the game plan on this current stretch:

“That’s been their (our players) M.O. all year, they don’t quit, they don’t give up and they’ve got a lot of pride. But, we’re not even looking at the score, we’re looking at making sure guys are developing properly and having good habits. They just played the same way from the first shift to the last shift, got back in the game, had a chance to win and unfortunately, in overtime, they couldn’t. But it’s good development.”

Belleville Sens Head Coach Dave Bell on Stephen Halliday’s development:

“I think he’s just figuring out his body. He’s worked a lot with Shelley (Kettles) on his skating, so he’s a lot sturdier on his skates and he’s protecting pucks. Confidence is a powerful thing, so when you score in bunches and you feel good about yourself. I think he’s just figuring out how big and strong he is and building his confidence.”

Media Availabilities:

Up Next:

• Friday, January 3, 2025 – Belleville Senators @ Syracuse Crunch – 7:00 p.m. ET (Upstate Medical University Arena)
• Saturday, January 4, 2025 – Belleville Senators @ Utica Comets – 7:00 p.m. ET (Adirondack Bank Centre)
• Friday, January 10, 2025 – Belleville Senators vs Wilkes-Barrre/Scranton Penguins – 7:00 p.m. ET (CAA Arena)
• Sunday, January 12, 2025 – Belleville Senators vs Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins – 3:00 p.m .ET (CAA Arena) (Family Fun Day)

Ticket Info:

Tickets for all 2024-25 Belleville Sens home games are now on sale via Ticketmaster, by emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com, or at the Belleville Sens Box Office at CAA Arena during select hours.

Fans looking for details on other ticketing options can click the following links for more on  becoming a season seat member, purchasing a flex pack membership, or putting down a deposit for a group experience. More information on those ticket options, plus details on premium seating and Business Elite packages is available by visiting the Belleville Sens website or emailing tickets@bellevillesens.com.

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